Books by Zoe Shakes
Discover fantasy books and short stories by fantasy author Zoe Shakes, known for atmospheric storytelling and emotionally rich characters. Zoe’s work has appeared in the popular Indie Bites fantasy anthologies, with her debut novel scheduled for release in 2027.
The 31st of June
When the day that shouldn’t exist becomes the only one that matters…
After spending the perfect night with the seemingly perfect guy, 21-year-old Cassandra wakes up alone. He’s nowhere to be found. And he’s taken all the contents of his bedroom with him. It’s almost as though he was never there at all.
Cassandra’s morning continues to get weirder when she finds a missing person poster with Gideon’s face on it. When her phone finally charges, and she sees the date – the 31st of June – she wonders whether she’s truly lost her mind. It’s not just Cassandra’s day that’s weird: the whole calendar has changed.
It’s as though she’s gone to sleep in one version of reality and woken up in another, where the love story she just began is already over…
For fans of:
If you loved David Nicholls’ One Day or Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Maybe in Another Life, this could be your next read.
Perfect for readers who enjoy:
- contemporary fiction,
- romance,
- friendship,
- emotional storytelling
- stories about the different paths our lives can take.
Swansong
Indie Bites: Bards & Bargains
Swansong is a haunting, musical tale, of two wedding singers who are hired for a gig on a remote Scottish island. When they arrive, they discover that the island isn’t as idyllic as it seemed. But there’s something compelling about it – something about the way the swans sing at night, something they can’t escape.
Something they don’t want to escape.
Recommended for readers searching for:
- Fantasy books with magic
- Folklore-inspired fantasy
- Indie fantasy authors
- Fantasy stories with emotional depth
“This is one of my forever favourites”
Christine Bauers
I See You, Witch
Indie Bites: Wishes and Wizards
This story, also featured in the Quintessential Indie Bites Anthology, centres on a “witch”: a woman with no face or identity of her own. Her solitary existence becomes much more complicated when she‘s tasked with taking on the role of a local farmer‘s wife. It would be much easier to “act“ in love with him if she wasn’t falling for real…
Perfect for readers who enjoy:
- Indie fantasy books
- Fantasy short stories
- Magical adventures
- Character-driven fantasy fiction
“I need to give a shout out to Zoe Shakes for the sensational I See You, Witch! This one went straight to my heart.“
Christine Bauers
Soul Purpose
Indie Bites: Hexes & Heroes
This Little Mermaid retelling explores what it really means to seek a soul, considering themes of marriage, spirituality, and a woman’s place in the world.
Ideal for fans of:
- Dark fantasy fiction
- Morally grey characters
- Atmospheric storytelling
- Fantasy anthologies
“A new discovery for me was Zoe Shakes. I haven’t been able to get their story “Soul Purpose” out of my head. Such a beautiful and haunting story. I hope to see more of this author soon.“
Christine Bauers
